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| Version 12 | Version 13 |
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| Men 'drink far more than women' | Men 'drink far more than women' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Men are drinking twice as much alcohol as women, figures for 2006 suggest. | Men are drinking twice as much alcohol as women, figures for 2006 suggest. |
| Data from the Office for National Statistics suggest men drink an average of 18.7 units a week, compared with 9.0 units for women. | Data from the Office for National Statistics suggest men drink an average of 18.7 units a week, compared with 9.0 units for women. |
| Some 21% of men and 11% of women had drunk on at least five of the seven days before the survey of about 16,500 households was carried out. | Some 21% of men and 11% of women had drunk on at least five of the seven days before the survey of about 16,500 households was carried out. |
| Alcohol consumption in 2006 was higher in England (13.7 units a week), than in Wales (13.5) and Scotland (11.6). | Alcohol consumption in 2006 was higher in England (13.7 units a week), than in Wales (13.5) and Scotland (11.6). |
| Over the last 20 years middle class families particularly have moved alcohol from the fringe of their lives to the centre of it Frank SoodeenAlcohol Concern 'I couldn't stop drinking' | Over the last 20 years middle class families particularly have moved alcohol from the fringe of their lives to the centre of it Frank SoodeenAlcohol Concern 'I couldn't stop drinking' |
| The figures also suggest that alcohol consumption is higher among the middle classes. | The figures also suggest that alcohol consumption is higher among the middle classes. |
| Men and women in "managerial and professional" households drank an average of 15.1 units a week. | Men and women in "managerial and professional" households drank an average of 15.1 units a week. |
| In households classified as "routine and manual" the average consumption was 11.6 units a week. | In households classified as "routine and manual" the average consumption was 11.6 units a week. |
| Among men in households with a gross weekly income of over £1,000, 83% had had a drink in the previous week, and 51% had drunk more than four units on at least one day. | Among men in households with a gross weekly income of over £1,000, 83% had had a drink in the previous week, and 51% had drunk more than four units on at least one day. |
| HOW MANY UNITS IS MY DRINK? See guide | HOW MANY UNITS IS MY DRINK? See guide |
| But among men in households with an income of £200 or less, only 61% had had a drink and only 32% had drunk more than four units on any one day. | But among men in households with an income of £200 or less, only 61% had had a drink and only 32% had drunk more than four units on any one day. |
| The same pattern was found in women. Among those in large employer/managerial households 19% had drunk heavily on at least one day in the previous week, compared with 11% from "routine" households. | The same pattern was found in women. Among those in large employer/managerial households 19% had drunk heavily on at least one day in the previous week, compared with 11% from "routine" households. |
| More than 50% of people said they drank at home, rather than in the pub. | |
| Possible decline | Possible decline |
| The figures - the first to use a new method of assessing intake - suggest that overall alcohol consumption may be in decline. | The figures - the first to use a new method of assessing intake - suggest that overall alcohol consumption may be in decline. |
| The researchers warn that it is not possible to make direct comparisons between data assessed under the old and new methods. | The researchers warn that it is not possible to make direct comparisons between data assessed under the old and new methods. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYMost of the people I know drink for the social aspectCara WareSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYMost of the people I know drink for the social aspectCara WareSend us your comments |
| Methods for calculating alcohol consumption have been updated to reflect the trend towards larger measures and stronger alcoholic drinks, especially wine. | Methods for calculating alcohol consumption have been updated to reflect the trend towards larger measures and stronger alcoholic drinks, especially wine. |
| But sticking with the old method, which almost certainly underestimates true alcohol consumption, the proportion of men drinking more than the recommended limit of 21 units a week on average fell from 29% in 2000 to 23% in 2006. | But sticking with the old method, which almost certainly underestimates true alcohol consumption, the proportion of men drinking more than the recommended limit of 21 units a week on average fell from 29% in 2000 to 23% in 2006. |
| For women, the proportion drinking more than the recommended limit of 14 units a week fell from 17% in 2000 to 12% in 2006. | For women, the proportion drinking more than the recommended limit of 14 units a week fell from 17% in 2000 to 12% in 2006. |
| Frank Soodeen, of the charity Alcohol Concern, said: "Over the last 20 years middle class families particularly have moved alcohol from the fringe of their lives to the centre of it. | Frank Soodeen, of the charity Alcohol Concern, said: "Over the last 20 years middle class families particularly have moved alcohol from the fringe of their lives to the centre of it. |
| "Because it so available they are drinking almost on a daily basis." | "Because it so available they are drinking almost on a daily basis." |
| Mr Soodeen said new measures were needed to ensure people could keep tabs on what they were actually drinking. | Mr Soodeen said new measures were needed to ensure people could keep tabs on what they were actually drinking. |
| "While we've had some progress this year when it comes to the issue of bottles now obliged to carry a unit count, we need to go further, with drinks menus in bars carrying the same sort of data. | "While we've had some progress this year when it comes to the issue of bottles now obliged to carry a unit count, we need to go further, with drinks menus in bars carrying the same sort of data. |
| "Customers have a right to make decisions on the basis of accurate information." | "Customers have a right to make decisions on the basis of accurate information." |
| Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said the figures suggested that excessive consumption was falling. | Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said the figures suggested that excessive consumption was falling. |
| He said: "It is also clear that the vast majority of people drink sensibly and should not be punished for the behaviour of a small minority. | He said: "It is also clear that the vast majority of people drink sensibly and should not be punished for the behaviour of a small minority. |
| "It is further evidence that calls for increased taxation on alcoholic drinks are misdirected." | "It is further evidence that calls for increased taxation on alcoholic drinks are misdirected." |
| Smoking | Smoking |
| The figures also show the overall prevalence of cigarette smoking among the adult population fell to 22% in 2006 - its lowest recorded level. | The figures also show the overall prevalence of cigarette smoking among the adult population fell to 22% in 2006 - its lowest recorded level. |
| Male smokers smoked an average of 15 cigarettes a day in 2006, compared with an average of 13 for female smokers. | Male smokers smoked an average of 15 cigarettes a day in 2006, compared with an average of 13 for female smokers. |
| Just over two thirds (68%) of cigarette smokers said that they wanted to give up - but 59% said it would be difficult to go without smoking for a whole day. | Just over two thirds (68%) of cigarette smokers said that they wanted to give up - but 59% said it would be difficult to go without smoking for a whole day. |
| In 2006, 16% of smokers had their first cigarette within five minutes of waking up. | In 2006, 16% of smokers had their first cigarette within five minutes of waking up. |
| The ONS report on smoking and drinking is based on data from its 2006 General Household Survey of around 16,500 households across Britain. | The ONS report on smoking and drinking is based on data from its 2006 General Household Survey of around 16,500 households across Britain. |